Pass The Labor Rate Bill

    Telephone calls and personal visits between you and the legislators who represent you will help our cause to pass the Labor Rate Bill in many ways. If you already know any of your legislators, your discussion will help to "personalize" this issue. After your discussion, your legislator will realize that this bill is important to one of his or her "friends." That means a lot in politics.

    If you've never met your legislators, they will "gain the pleasure" of knowing you. Their business is helping and representing people and they welcome the opportunity to help one of their constituents. Don't be shy or feel like you're bothering them. This is their job!
Obviously, you want to make the following points very clear:

• You are asking for his or her support for H1043 / S122, the Auto Body Labor Rate Bill.

    Before you make your call or visit, go to the web site, www.PassTheLaborRateBill.org, and review the "Lobbying 101" page and the "FAQ Sheet for Legislators" page so that you can feel more comfortable while you are talking about the bill. Of the talking points listed, here are the eight key you want to emphasize:

• Identify the bill as being sponsored by Senator Stephen Buoniconti of Springfield, who is the Senate Chairman of the Joint Committee on Financial Services, and Rep. Robert Spellane of Worcester, House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Service.

• For over a decade, Massachusetts auto collision shops have received the lowest labor rate in the country, despite operating in one of the highest cost areas. Our labor rate is approximately $35.75, nearly $10.00 per hour less than the national average.

• The bill will establish a new, self-funded commission would solve and oversee all issues regarding insurer-paid labor rates for auto body shops.

• Collision shops would be required to comply with higher standards in order to gain their classifications.

• Only those shops which comply with higher standards would be eligible for the new rates.

• The Labor Rate Bill will have just a negligible effect on premium rates because of a regulation change sponsored by the collision industry will help save millions for the insurance companies.

• The higher standards prescribed in the bill will be a great benefit for consumers.

• Passage of the bill will allow collision shops to offer career paths for the thousands of trained vocational school graduates who now enter other industries because starting wages are too low.

Finally, if the legislator feels that the bill should be passed, ask him or her if they would agree to have their name listed on our website as a supporter.

    Again, don't be shy. These are your issues and these legislators are there to help you. Please remember to note which legislators agree to go "on the record" as being a supporter of the Labor Rate Bill. Contact us as soon as you can by phone at (617) 484-0205, fax at (617) 484-0568, or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Thank you for your help.